Orlando, Fla. – Highlighted by 32 games at John Euliano Park, the UCF baseball team announced its 2022 schedule Tuesday afternoon. The Knights are set to play a 56-game regular-season schedule that features six NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago.
Entering his sixth season at the helm of the Black and Gold, head coach Greg Lovelady sits at 281-154 all-time and 157-98 as the Knights' skipper. Lovelady's staff features returning assistants Ted Tom (5th season), Nick Otte (4th season), and Chris Cates (2nd season).
UCF finished the 2021 campaign 31-30, with an 18-14 record in American Athletic Conference play, and advanced to the final round of the AAC Championship in Clearwater, Florida. Outfielder Jordan Rathbone was named first-team all-conference, while pitcher Colton Gordon, catcher Josh Crouch, and outfielder Gephry Pena earned second-team honors.
The Knights will replace 14 departures from last season's squad, including three that were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft over the summer – Colton Gordon (Houston, Rd. 8), Josh Crouch (Detroit, Rd. 11), and Jack Sinclair (Washington, Rd. 16).
Lovelady and his staff brought in 18 newcomers, featuring seven players with collegiate playing experience as transfers, as well as 11 freshmen this spring.
SCHEDULE FACTS
56 Total Games
32 Home Games
12 Home Games in the AAC
12 games against 2021 NCAA Super Regional Teams (East Carolina, Ole Miss, South Florida)
18 games against 2021 NCAA Regional Teams
6 games against 2021 RPI Top-25 teams
10 games against 2021 RPI Top-50 teams
33 games against 2021 RPI Top-100 teams
MARQUEE MATCHUPS AT JOHN EULIANO PARK
Ole Miss, March 4-6
After taking a trip to Oxford, Mississippi a year ago, the Knights will welcome Ole Miss to John Euliano Park for a three-game series as the second weekend homestand of the season, beginning March 4. The Black and Gold won two of three games in Oxford during the 2021 campaign, as Ole Miss went on to finish with a 45-22 overall record and advance to the Tucson Regional.
Miami, March 16
The Hurricanes return to Orlando for the 10th time in the series history, marking the fourth midweek contest of the season for UCF. The Black and Gold will make the return trip to Coral Gables on May 11 as one of the last midweek contests of the year. The last time the two programs met, No. 5 Miami defeated No. 12 Knights in the last contest of the COVID-19 shortened 2020 campaign. A season ago, Miami concluded its campaign with a 33-21 record and advanced to the Gainesville Regional.
South Florida, April 1-3
The War on I-4 returns to John Euliano Park at the beginning of April to kick-off American Athletic Conference play. Last year, the Knights and Bulls faced off eight times during the regular season as UCF earned the 5-3 edge. The longest-running series in program history will reach 150 total games, as the Knights look to even the all-time series history that currently sits at 76-73 in favor of the Bulls.
East Carolina, April 14-19
In a series that will be crucial to The American standings, the Knights will welcome East Carolina for their second home conference series of the year. The Pirates finished the 2021 campaign with a 20-8 record in The American to clinch the regular-season title and advanced to a Super Regional in Nashville. The last time the two teams met, UCF eliminated ECU from The American Championship in the semifinal round.
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